Q. WE’RE looking for somewhere to rent and thinking of using a letting agent but I’ve heard they can sometimes be a rip-off. Any tips on how to find a good one?

A. You’re right to be cautious. Use our top tips to avoid problems:

• Shop around. Ask for details of the services each agent provides and what they charge for. Not all agents make additional charges, and the amounts they do charge can vary.

• It is a criminal offence for a letting agency to charge you just to register with them. You shouldn't have to pay any fees until the agency has found accommodation for you. If you think that an agency is acting illegally, contact your local council's trading standards officer or tenancy relations officer.

• Check whether the agent is a member of a trade body such as Association of Residential Letting Agents, National Association of Estate Agents, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or National Approved Letting Scheme, which require members to have arrangements to protect clients’ money. This should prevent you losing money if the agent goes out of business. They also require members to have a complaints procedure. You can also look out for agents that have the Safe Agent registered mark. This means that your money will be protected through a client money protection scheme.

• Check whether the agent has a complaints procedure in place that includes access to independent redress - an ombudsman scheme for example.

• If you are charged a tenancy deposit, ask the agent for the details of the tenancy deposit protection scheme they use. Agents and landlords are required by law to protect deposits for assured shorthold tenancies in a government approved scheme.

Copyright Citizens Advice. For the most up-to-date advice, please visit adviceguide.org.uk

For further information please visit our website cardiffandvalecab.org.uk.